Smokers&#39; lighters



Nov. 6, 1956 F. PERLIN 2,769,326

SMOKERS' LIGHTEIRS yFiled June 22, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5% g e 6@ fg;/255 25g 70 *1r-'2 25 l Y --iwv nml Q 20 5% V; fifi," 6@ f l 35 :$7111 Mi .Il ZZ 60 Z2 50 62 Q Q5 "lh-f Illundun l .160 ,250 @mi Nv. 6, 1956 F.PERLIN 2,769,326

SMOKERS' LIGHTERS Filed June 22, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 26 27 Z' ze@ 275F. PERLIN 2,769,326

SMOKE-RS LIGHTERS Nov. 6, 1956 'Filed June 22, 1955 -4 sheets-sheet sNov. 6, 1956 F. PERLIN 2,769,326

SMOKERS" LIGHTERS Filed June 22," 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 UnitedI StatesPatent sMoKERs LIGHTERS Fred Perln, Oconomowoc, Wis., assignor to TheParker Pen Company, Janesville, Wis., a corporation of WisconsrnApplication June 22, 1953, Serial No. 363,265

11 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

This invention relates to lighters of the type commonly employed inlighting cigars and cigarettes and has to do particularly with a lighterof the so-called gaseous fuel type which employs as a fuel a normallygaseous mate` rial which is stored in the lighter in the form of a,compressed or liquefied gas and is discharged and burned in gaseousform.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved lighter ofthe gaseous fuel type having an improved mechanism for controlling thedischarge of fuel.

Another object is to provide a lighter of the gaseous fuel type havingan improved mechanism for controlling the dischargeof fuel andsimultaneously igniting the discharged fuel.

A further object is to provide a lighter of the gaseous fuel type havingimproved means for adjusting the rate of ow of gas from the tank orcontainer of the lighter.

Another object is to provide a lighter oftheA gaseous fuel type whereinthe rate of flow of gas from the tank is controlled'in such manner as tobe generally uniform regardless of the temperature of the airsurrounding the lighter, whereby the llame is maintained` at a generallyuniform height. Y

Another object is to provide a lighter of the gaseous fuel type having asimple, positive and effective mechanism for controlling the ow of gasfrom tneftank and for igniting the discharged gas. Y l

A further object is to provide a lighter of the gaseous fuel type havinga sparking wheel, which includes improved means for actuating thesparking wheel, and an improved valve construction for controlling ow offuel from the tank to a lighting station, together with means forcontrolling the operation of the valve by the operation of the means foractuating the sparking means so that fuel is emitted at the lightingstation immediately prior to actuation of the sparking wheel. y

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the appended drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a lighter made according to the presentinvention, with portions broken away and shown in section; A v

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, withthe bottom portion of the tank of the lighter omitted;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken'on line 3-3 of Fig. lshowing particularly the valve and flow control structure;

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; l v

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of certain elements of thestructure of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentaryv sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. l; y

Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryY sectional view taken on line 8-8 -of Fig. 1;

2,769,326 Patented Nov. 1956 "ice Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken on line 9-9 of Fig. l;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view taken from the right of Fig. 9 but with aportion broken away; l I

Fig. 1l is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l2 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 2, and showingcertain elements in differentY positions relative to Fig. l1;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 124 but with certain elements indiiferent positions relative to Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the sparking wheel, taken substantially online 14-14 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l5 is a View taken substantially on line 15-15 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is an axial sectional view of a modified form of valve suitablefor use in the lighter instead of the valve of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of the metering plug included inthe valve of Fig. 16.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the lighter,

` made according to the present invention, includes a chassis 20 and 'atank 22 together with an enclosing casing 24. The casing 24 is hereinshown diagrammaticallyand may assume any desired and suitable form such,

for example, asa casing'generally similar to the casing parts of thelighter while the tank 22 contains the supply of fuel which is conductedthrough the valve means in the chassis to the burner as controlled bythe means for actuating the flintsparking'- wheel in the normal use of lthe lighter'.

The lighter is preferably made of al suitable metal throughout itsconstruction except certain elements as will be referred tolspecifically such, for example, as the flint, resilient sealing lmeansand resilient metering means.

The chassis 20 includes a base or lower portion 26 extendingsubstantially throughout the length and breadth of the chassis and isprovided with a longitudinal wall portion or rib 28 along one sidethereof and an upwardly facing supporting surface 30 on which is mounteda second main portion32, preferably separate from the base, and whichmay be termed a flint holder, serving to slidably support the ilint andfeed means therefor as well as to aid in supporting'the sparking wheeland other elements. The flint holder 32 includes a lower block portion34 resting on the surface 30 and engaging the wall element 28 andsecured thereto by suitable lmeans such as screws 36. Preferably alaterally extending guide pin 37 is secured in the wall element 28 forinsertion into an aperture 39 in the iiint holder for guiding the flintholder into proper'position on the base. The block portion 34 is oflesser length than the base 26 (Fig. V2) and for enabling the flint tobe fed toward and into engagement with the sparking wheel 46 which isoperatively mounted in the recess 40. 4The bore 42 may also open throughthe opposite end of the chassis, as shown in Fig. 2. Preferably theflint holder is provided with an opening 43 in the form of a groovecommunicating with the bore i2 and opening upwardly through the top ofthe llint holder for enabling insertion of va new int into the bore 4i-2when desired, as when a previous flint is eX- pended. The bore 4Z ispreferably circular in cross section to accommodate conventional flintswhich are cornmonly also circular in cross section. Hom/ever, the speciccross-sectionalshape of the bore and flint may be otherwise than stated,if desired. v

The sparking wheel is provided with a knurled or otherwise roughenedperipheralsurfacefor engaging the int in rotation ofthe wheel, andthrowing sparks therefrom toward the stream of fuel issuing from thetank of the lighter as will be brought out fully hereinafter. The flint44 is fed toward the sparking wheel by means of a flint follower 56 andspring means S2, the latter having engagement with the int follower andbeing secured1 to the chassis at a convenient location, such as the wallelement 23 of the base, as will bepointed out-presently. The follower 50is preferably in the form of a cylindrical plug-like element and mayhave a vroughened forward surface S4 engageable with the flint, ifdesired, to prevent the flint from turning. The follower 50 is providedwith a transverse aperture or bore 56 through which extends a shaft 58,the latter 4extending through side slots 60 in the flint holder (Figs. land 2) and on which isrnounted a negator spring 52 constituting meansfor urging the flint follower in direction to feed Vthe flint toward thesparking wheel. One end of the shaftrSS is provided with an enlargedhead or circular flange 62 preferably integral therewith. The other endof the shaft is provided with a similar head or flange 64overlyingthewall element 28 and spaced from the fiint holder asubstantial distance. The shaft and heads 62 and 64 form a drum withwhich the negator spring 52 cooperates, :thespringencircling the shaftbetween the head 64 and the adjacent portion of the flint holder wall. v

The negator spring 52 preferably-takes the form of a plurality of leaves66 (Fig. 10) which are preferably three in number. The leaves arestacked to form an effective single spring and at one end are togethersecured to the chassis at a suitable location, such as on the uppersurface of the wall element 28, by meansof a screw 63 inserted throughapertures in the leaves and threaded into the wall element. Theleaves-are otherwise disconnected from each other, and are disconnectedfrom the shaft 58, while encircling the shaft. The individual leaves arepre-stressed in coil formand each leaf may. be readily coiled in a smalldiameter coil, but'because of the plurality of leaves, the spring hassubstantial strength. Upon the spring being straightened it tends tore-coil. ri`he flint follower 5@ may be-retractedtto the left,-Figs. land 2) by engagementof the thumb withthe negator spring 52 or theadjacent head 64,V and since the spring is connected to the chassis, theretracting movement tends to straighten the spring and upon releaseofthe thumb from the spring or head, the tendency Yof the spring tore-coil urges the follower to the right (Figs. l and 2) and thusyieldingly feeds the fiint'through the bore 42 into engagement with thesparking wheel 46.

The lighter is provided with a burner tip 7i) (Figs. l, 2 and 7) fromwhich gaseous fuel-is emitted injan upwardly flowing stream or column,-so located that'the sparks thrown from the flint by the lsparkingwheel, are directed into the stream. The casing 24 is provided with asuitable opening in the top -above the burner tip for accommodating thestream of fuel, and theame when the fuel is lighted, such `for* example,as is .provided in the casing of the lighter `disclosedinthecopendingapplication referredto above- Ille .fuel :is fedtoiftherbrimer4 tip from the tank 22 through the valve means illustrated in Fig. 3which will be described in detail hereinafter.

The tank 22 may assume any desired form but is preferably constructedgenerally similarly to the tank 2 of the copending application referredto above. The tank (Fig. 8) in its preferred .construction includes agenerally cup-shaped member'72 which, for convenience, may have agenerally square overall shape although the particular shape may be asdesired, as will be understood. A cover 74 is permanently andsealinglysecured to the body member 72 in a suitable manner asby weldingor brazing. The cover member '74 as well as the body member 72mayhavesuitable strengthening ribs 76 for imparting the Adesiredstrength to the tank. The tank is formed with a lling and dischargeopening '73 surrounded by an inwardly turned flange or wall element Si?.The opening is adapted to receive a plug 82 formed of a suitableresilient material such as a;rubberlike product having Vsufficientresilience to provide the necessary sealing action at the opening, andwhich is inert to the fuel Vused in the lighter. Neoprene has been foundsuitable-furthe purpose. The plug 82 may be inserted in the opening 78inanysuitable manner and is provided with upper and lower flanges .84Vand 86 for engagement with the tank portions for sealing the opening78. The lighter is adapted for replacement of an empty tank by a fulltank by the user and the full tank of fuel must, of course, be sealeduntil itis connected with the chassis. 'For this purpose the reservetank is provided with suitable closure means, such as the plug core ofthe above mentioned copending application, which is fitted in thecentral aperture 83 of the resilient plug 82. When such tank isconnected with the chassis, thel plug core is removed from the centralaperture 83 by the stem 90 and forced into the interior of the tank. Thestem `90frorming an extension ,of one of the elements of the valvemechanism for controlling the flow of uel fromthe-tank, isy of suchdimensions that it is sealingly engaged bythe plug 82 so as to preventthe escape of fuel therepast.

The lighter, similarly to thelighter of the above-mentioned Ycopendingapplication, is adapted for using fuel such, for example, as butane,which, at temperatures at which the lighter is normally to be used,takes the form of gas but which may be readily liquefied by compressionand/ or cooling. The fuelis introduced into the tank when the latterischarged in the form of a liquid, and preferably at a temperature belowthe vaporizing temperature, after which the tank is closed. When thetank is at a normal use temperature, the fuel in the tank is undersubstantial pressure and a portion of the fuel is in gaseous form, theremainder being in liquid form. The valve disclosed herein is adapted toconduct and control the flow of fuel from Ythe tank and deliver. it tothe burner tip 70 in gaseous form. The opening 78 may be utilized `forcharging the tank, after which the plug and core referred to above areinserted in the plug 82.

The stem 90 not only serves as a means for directly connecting the tank22 to the chassis Ztl, but also as a passage for conducting fuel fromthe tank to the valve mechanism of Fig. 3, from which it emerges at thelighting station. The stem 90 is of generally tubular form having apassage-9? therethrough communicating with the interior of the tank andwith other passages through the chassis and Valve means. The inner orlower end of the stem 90 is preferably tapered as at 94 for aidinginsertion of the stem through the plug S2, the tip portion preferablyhaving a reduced bore portion 96 communicating with the bore 92. Theupper or outerend of the stem 90 includes an exteriorly threaded portionand a flange portion 100. The threaded portionr93 is threaded into abore 102 in the chassis base 26 which has an inner threaded portion andan ^outer,-slightly V`enlarged portion 104, The portion 102 of thestem-andthe bore 102 are so dimensioned thatwhen thevbody portionV isthreaded into the bore, the flange 100 engages the under surface of thechassis base andvserves as a -means for limiting insertion of the bodyinto the bore. The flange 100 is provided with suitable sealing meanssuch as a resilient ring-shaped gasket 106 tted in an annular groove 108in the flange and positioned for Iengagement with the under surface ofthe base 26 of the chassis when the portion 98 is threaded into the bore102. The portion 98 is provided with a radial bore 110 leading from thebore 92 outwardly to the bore portion 104 and establishing communicationbetween the two bores mentioned, whereby gaseous fuel from ythe tank isenabled to pass through the stem 90 and into lthe annular space in thebore portion 104. The gaseous fuel in the annular space passes through abore or passage 112 formed in the body of the chassis and leading fromthe annular space to another and enlarged bore 114 also formed in thebase 26 of the chassis. It will be noted at this point that the bore114, which as shown in Fig. 3, contains the operating parts of the valveand the burner tip 70, is positioned in the chassisl so as to properlyposition the burner tip 70 (Fig. l) so that the stream of fuel issuingtherefrom is properly positioned for receiving the stream of sparks fromthe flint when the sparking wheel is rotated clockwise (Fig. l). Thebore 114 at its lower end is interiorlyy threaded as at 116 forreceiving a threaded adjustment screw 118 having an upwardly extending,central reduced-diameter projection 120. An annular space 122 is thusformed around the projection 120, communicating with the bore 112. Theadjustment screw 118 is preferably provided with a screw driverslot 124'for engagementby a screw driver for insertion of the screw in the boreand for adjusting movement for increasing or decreasing v the valveopening through thevalve structure, vas will be brought out in detailhereinafter. The,A lowerend of the bore 114 is-preferably closed by asuitable plug screw 126 which may be recessed into lthe base ofthechassis and positioned substantially ush with the under surfacethereof. A gasket 128 of suitable resilient sealing ma'- terial iscompressed between the head of thescrew and the wall of the recess 127Afor sealing the bore 114 and the threaded portion v116fagainst .theVescape lof gaseous fluid therethrough. y .Y Y Y The bore 114 at itsupper end is provided Awith a relatively large counterbore 130interiorly threaded `for receiving the burnerfvalve body 132V which4contains the burner tip 70. The body 132 is ofgenerally. tubular formhaving a lower Vexteriorly threaded portion 134 threaded into thecounterbore 130, a gasket 1 36 of suitable resilient sealing materialbeing interposed between the valve body 132 and the bottom surface ofthe counterbore 130 for sealing the bore 114 at its upper end againstthe escape of gaseous fuel. The upper vend of the valve body 132 ispreferably of reduced dimension to Af orm the burner tip 70. The borethrough the valve/body 132 includes three main portions, namely a lower,relatively large-diameter portion 138, a centralthreaded portion 140preferably of relatively reduced diameter, and an upper portion 142 ofstill greater reduced diameter.

Mounted in the lower bore portion 138 is a metering plug or inlet member144 of generally disc-like shape having a central solid portionengageable with the projection 120 and aplurality of axially extendingapertures 146, preferably two in number (Figs. and 6), disposed radiallyoutwardly of the central portion and outwardly of the projection 120,forming passages communicating with the annular space 122. The apertures146 may be of any desired number and dimension so as to provide thedesired and optimum capacity for ow of gaseous fuel therethrough.Disposed above the metering plug 144 is a metering disc or outlet member148 provided with an aperture 150 therethrough of generally cruciformshape and having laterally or radially extending wing portions 152which, in the form utilized, are

four in .,number. The metering disc is positioned with opposite ones ofthe wing portions 152 in register and alignment with the apertures 1.46in the metering plug. The width of the aperture wing portions 152 ispreferably greater than the diameter of the apertures 146. The meteringplug 144 and metering disc 148 are dimensioned for snug but slidingengagement with the Wall of the bore 138v for sliding movement therein,inl response to adjusting movement of the adjustment screw 118.Positioned above and in engagement with the metering disc 148 is ametering ring 154 of yieldable and resilient material, capable of beingcompressed between the metering disc 148 and the elements thereabove.The metering ring is preferably in the shape of a torus, circular incross section when in its normal unstressed condition (Fig. 6).

The metering ring 154 is disposed between and engaged by the meteringdisc 148 land -a valve-plug 156 threaded in the central bore portion 140of the valve body 132. The undersurface of the valve plug is flush withthe upper surface of the lower bore portion 138, thus presenting acontinuous annular lsurface 158 for engagement with the metering ring154. Upon upward adjustment of the acljustment screw 118, the meteringplug 144 `and metering disc 14,8 are moved upwardly, reducing the spacebetween the metering ydisc :and the surface 153 and thereby compressingthe metering ring therebetween. This action results in forcing portionsof the metering ring down into the aperture 150 in the metering disc,and particularly inlto'the wing portions 152 thereof. The greater thecompression force applied to the metering ring and the consequentprojection of the metering ring downwardly toward lthe apertures 146,the greater is the restricting effect on the 4apertures 146 and hencereduction in rate of flow of fuel therethrough. Upon adjusting of theadjustment yscrew 11S in the opposite direction, i. e. ,downwardly, the4space between the metering 'disc and surface V158 is increased,enablingthe metering ring to tend to resume its toroidal shape Iwhich,as ay consequence, retracts a proportional extent from the aperture wingportions 152, and from the 'aperture-s 146, enlarging the effectiveopening from -the latter apertures and permitting :a greater rate of`lowof fuel.

lchanges in temperature ambient to the lighter.

Similar Acontraction and expansion of the metering ring takes place' in.response to For vthis purpose the metering ring 154 is made of asuitable elastomer having a relatively high coefficient of thermalexpansion, whereby in response to increased ambient temperature itexpands and projects farther into the aperture wing portions 152 andtends to close the apertures 146 and thus' reduce the effective openingthereof, compensating for the tendency to greater rate of flow due toincreased pressure of the gas caused by increased ambient v temperature.Upon lowering of the ambient temperature, the metering ring contracts,and withdraws or retracts a proportional amount from the apertures 146,in a manner described above in connection with adjustment of theadjustment screw 118. Thus regardless of the ambient temperature, therate of flow of fuel through the valve remains substantially constantand hence the height of the flame produced thereby remains substantiallyconstant.

The valve plug 156 is provided with a bore 160, and has an enlargedrecess 162 in Iits under surface, which maybe polygonal in shape forengagement by a suitable tool for inserting the valve plug into the bore140. The bore extends upwardly through the valve plug which has areduced tapered portion 164 extending lupwardly into the bore 142 of thevalve body. The bore 160 in the valve plug is adapted to be closed by avalve closure or shut-off member l166 which preferably includes aresilient valve seat 168 formed of sealing material and suitably mountedas in a valve seat housing 170, slidably mounted in the bore portion142. The housing 170, as illustrated, is preferably cup-shaped forreceiving the valve seat 168 which is secured therein in any suitableavea-see manner, |and has an outer substantially cylindrical surface forguiding and sliding engagement with the surface of the bore portion 142.Upon depression of the valve closure member 166 the valve seat 168engages Ithe upper end of the Valve plug 156 land closes the bore 160against the flow of fuel therethrough. A suitable ball 172, which ispreferably rigid and may be made of steel, is disposed in the boreportion 142 above the valve member 166. The ball is freely rotatable andreciprocable in the bore and is held therein by inturned or peenedportions 174 formed on .the upper edge of the inner surface of the boreportion 142. The dimensions of the various elements are such that whenthe ball 172 is uppermost and engaged with the peened portions 174, itsupper portion extends out of the bore for engagement by a lever arm 176which will be referred to again in connection with the means foractuating the sparking Wheel. The inner surface of the bore portion 142is provided with a plurality of grooves 178, preferably fou-r in number(Fig. 4) opening through the top of the burner tip 79 and extendingdownwardly to a position. at least below the upper end of the valve plug156 for providing passages for flow of fuel therethrough and past theball. The ball 172 thus serves only as a valve-closing member and doesnot close the burner tip outlet. Gaseous fuel, upon issuing upwardlythrough the bore16t in the valve plug, lifts the valve member 166,except when the valve member is held down, passes into the bore portion142 below the valve member, and flows through the grooves 178 inby-passing relation to the valve member 166 and ball member 172. Thevalve closure member 166 and ball 172 fare dimensioned for easy slidingmovement in the bore portion 142 so that they may belifted by thepressure of the gaseous fuel in and issuing from the bore 16) when therestraining force is removed from the ball. When the ball is depressedby the lever arm 176 the required yield'ability for closing the bore 16@is provided by the resilient valve seat 168. The lever arm 176 includesan aperture or hole 1.8i) (Fig. 3) of suiciently great dimensions toenable the ball to move upwardly, until limited by the peened portions174., to thereby provide the desired opening for issuance of thefuelfrorn the burner tip 70. The conditions under which the hole oraperture'lt) isrdisposed in register with the ball 172 will bedescribedin connection with the mechanism'for operating the sparkingwheel 46, the lever `arm 176 in which the hole 180 is formed beingdirectly manipulated by the user in the act of operating Vthe lighter.

The sparking wheel 46 (Fig. 2) is rotatably mounted on a shaft 182extending vertically through the recess or :cavity 40, the shaft.supporting not only the sparking wheel but certain other relatedoperating elements as well. r`he shaft 182 is suitably mounted in thechassis as by means of a recess 1%4 in the base 26 which receives thelower end of the shaft and the overhanging arm portion 38 on the intcarrier 32. The upper end l186 of the shaft is preferably of reduceddiameter and fitted in an aperture 188 -in the overhanging arm portion3S, the reduced portion 186 forming 'a shoulder engaged by the undersurface of the overhanving arm portion for prop* erly securing the shaftin position against axial displacement, and the overhanging larm portionsimilarly retains the elements mounted on the shaft against displacementlaxially of the shaft. It will be understood that the-shaft 182 togetherwith the elements mounted thereon may be inserted in position uponremoval of the flint carrier 32 from the base 26, after which the flintcarrier portion is inserted in position :and secured to the braise.

rfhe sparking wheel 46, or flint wheel as it is sometimes called, isarranged for rapid rotation through a predetermined angular movement inresponse to the teI1- sioning of a spring which is tensioned by anelement actuated by the thumb or finger of the user. Y.It is desiredthat vthe sparking wheel be rapidly rotated so that a greater sparkwill' be produced than would'be the case'if VS the sparking wheel wererotated slowly as often is the case when it is rotated directly by thethumb of the user in operating the lighter. Thus, the spring istensioned by an element movedby the thumb,. during which time thesparking wheel is restrained against rotation, and when the spring isproperly tensioned the sparking wheel is released andthe tension in thespring causes the sparking wheel to be rapidly rotated.

VThezlever arm 176, which is actuated by the user for rotating thesparking wheel and controlling the valve means (Fig. 3), is mounted forrotation on the axis of the shaft 182 and includes an operating handle19t? (Fig. 1)`projecting through a suitable opening in the casing'2ll tothe exterior and ,positioned for convenient engagement by the thumb.'The lever arm also includes a platelike portion or sector '192overlying the burner tip 7), in close proximity thereto, in which thehole 18d therein is formed, and positioned for registering with theburner tip in a predetermined positionof .the lever arm. The plate-likeportion or sector`192 is` generally in the form of a quadrant'forcontrolling the valve means (Fig. 3) throughout rotation of the leverarm substantially as is desired, in the act of operating the lighter.The lever arm 176 is` directlymounted on and supported by a-housing194.mounted on the shaft 132, which may also be referred to as the driverspring housing, containing a driver spring 196. The housing 1% includesa generally cup-shape upper housing proper'197 and a lower tubular hubportion 199 snugly engaging the shaft, but preferably rotatablethereon.' The housing has bearing support on the base 26 asin a recess.201, and is provided with an annular recess193 in its outer surfaceadjacent its upper edge, forming a reduced-diameter extension 2%extending into aniopening 202 in the lever arm 17 6 Vand serving as ameans for mounting the lever arm. The lever arm is secured to the"`housing 194 by suitable means such as by soldering or'brazing at-Y204,;foreffecting rotation of thehousing 194 in response to therotation of the lever arm. rThe recess'198 is suitably dimensioned sothat the upper surface ofthe lever'jarm is substantiallyiiush with theupper surface of the reduced portion 2G15 for forming a continuousannular bearing surface for supporting a driver 206. Y The driver 206 isgenerally in the form of a ring but with Acertain conformationsformed inits periphery, vas will be, described in detail'hereinafter (Figs. ll,13).` AThe'jdriver is provided with a tubular hub 208 rotatably ,mountedon the shaft 182, and preferably formed as a separate piece from thedriver 206 and securedV thereto in a suitable manner'such as bysoldering or brazing at`210,=the'hub having a reduced central portionextending into the central kaperture of the driver 2% formingaconvenient means for mounting the driver and hub together.

The driver spring 196 contained in the housing 194, in surroundingVrelation to the shaft 182 and hub 20S, is arranged for rapidlyrotatingVthe sparking wheel in the manner'referredto above and to this end isconnected effectively to the-driver 206 and lever arm 176. One endportion of the driver spring 196, e. g. the lower end por tion, isturned'outwardly at 212 and fitted in a radial aperture 214-formed inthe wall of the housing 194 while thev other and upper end portion 216is turned inwardly and fitted in a recess 21S in the hub 203. Thus, whenthe housing-194B rotated by rotation of the lever arm 176, therotational -force is transmitted through the driver spring 196`and'whenthe driver 236 is held against rotation, las it is throughout a portionof the lighting operation, in a mannerto be explained hereinafter, thespring 196 is tensioned. Then-later, when the driver 266 is released,-towardithe end of the rotational movement, the tension in the springrapidly rotates the driver which, through adriving connection, rotatesthe sparking wheel 4,6.

The drivingconneetion between the driver 206 andthe sparking wheel;includes a clutch' 220-connected with the driver 206 for rotationtherewith. The clutch is preferably formed as an element separate fromlthe driver for the sake of convenience in manufacturing, .and whenconnected thereto is effectively unitary therewith. The clutch includesa clutching element releasably engageable with the sparking wheel foradvancing the sparking wheel in one direction andv enabling the clutchto move in retracting direction while the sparking wheel is held againstrotation (as explained below), for enabling the clutch to be positionedsuccessively for advancing the clutch in each actuation of the lever arm176. The clutch 220 is preferably in the form of a relatively thinannular disc or wafer having ay central aperture 222 (Fig. l1) fitted onthe shaft 182 and dimensioned for enabling rotation relative thereto andabout the axis thereof. :The clutch 220 is provided with a lug 224(Figs. 1l and l2) at a convenient location on its periphery turned downand fitted into a complementally shaped recess or notch 226 formed inthe periphery of the driver 206. The driver and clutch are bothrestrained against lateral play and substantial axial play and thus thelug 224 is retained in the notch. The lug 224 hasl adequate axialdimension so as to be restrained against axial displacement in theincidental but small axial play permitted the clutch. Such axial playresults from the space between the driver and the sparking wheel as isnecessary for proper actuation of the clutch through the clutchingiinger 228 on the clutch (Figs. 2 and 1l) which formsv the means forengaging the sparking wheel and rotating it in response to rotation ofthe clutch. The clutching nger 228 is preferably formed by means ofcutting or slotting the clutch as at 229 (Fig. 11), and bending theportion thus formed upwardly so that its extended end projects at anangle to the plane of the clutch (Figs. Zand 7). The material from whichthe clutch is formed is preferably spring metal so that the clutchinginger'228 will return to its normal shape and position after beingflexed therefrom. The clutching finger is normally biased upwardly intothe desired position but enabled to flex downwardly toward the plane ofthe clutch. The clutching nger 228 is positioned for engaging theteetht230.v formed in the lower surface of the sparking wheel 46 (Figs.2 and 7). Upon rotation of the clutch 220 inthe intended direction(clockwise, Figs. 1 and 1l),` the clutching iinger 228 engages one ofthe teeth 230.and rotates the sparking wheel in that direction.` In thereverse and retracting direction, the sparking wheel is normallyretained against rotation by reasonof the friction between the sparkingwheel and flint, and the clutching finger 228 rides on the cammingsurfaces 232 of the teeth, being deflected downwardly or toward theplane of the clutch, enabling it to ride past one or more teeth so as toposition it for engaging with a successive tooth in the next operation.The sparking wheel may be provided with any desired number of teeth 230but preferably five such teeth are provided, whereby since it is desiredthat the driver 206 be rotated substantially a quarter turn in eachoperation, finger is retracted after each operation sufficiently forengaging the successive tooth on the sparking wheel.

Means is provided for restraining the sparking wheel against rotationthroughout the greater portion of the rotation of the lever arm 176 andreleasing the sparking wheel toward the end of the movement of ythelever arm for accomplishing the result noted above, namely, rapidrotation of the sparking wheel. Such restraining means includes aholding pawl 234 suitably mounted on the base 26 of the chassis andpositioned for engagement with the driver 206. The pawl 234 is pivotallyymounted at one end on the chassis as on a boss or projection 236 bysuitable means such as a screw 238. The boss orprojection 236 is ofproper height for positioning the holding pawl substantially in theplane of the driver 206 (Fig. 2). The holding pawl is disposed in thecavity or recess 46 with its free end swingable toward and from thedriver 206, being.,biased vtoward the driver by suitable means, such asaspring240fwhich, lin the present instance, may convenientlyy take ,the`formof a V-shaped spring having one leg :secured tothe chassis, as by ascrew 242, and its other leg. in engagement with the pawl, the normalbiasing effect of the spring urging the free end of the pawl toward thedriver. The holding pawl 234 is provided with a notch 244 cooperablewith a lug 246 formed` in' the periphery of the driver 206f The notchand projection are complementally formed with abutting surfaces shapedto prevent rotation of the driver in clockwise direction (Fig. l1) whenthey'are in interengagement, for example, `extendingj generally radiallyof the driver, but with respective camming surfaces on the oppositesides for enablingthe projection to ride out of the notch when thedriver isl rotated in the opposite or retracting direction. The driver206 is also provided with a peripheral notch or cut-out portion 248leading in a counterclockwise direction from the projection 246 (Figs.y11e-13) and having an end surface 249,*for receivingra pin 250 on thelever arm'176.` The pin 250 serves both as a means for releasing theholding pawl 234 and as a stop for limting the extent of rotationalmovement of the driver 206 in advancing direction, as well as for`returning the driver to its initial position by the lever arm, as willbel described more` fully hereinafter.

The lever arm 176V and driver 206 aretogether'returned or retrarcted toa` normalposition by means of a return spring 252'havin'g'connectionbetween the base of the chassis and the housing 194. It will be recalledthat the lever arm 176 is connected with the housing 194 androtaryrrnovement'imparted to one of the elements is transmitted totheother, and lreturn of the housing to its initial position effects returnof the lever arm. The return spring 252 isl positioned in surroundingrelation to the hub 19,9 and hasone end 256 appropriately shaped andfitted into'a recess 258 formed in the chassis while theother end260is'sit'ably lshapefdand fitted in a re' ce's s"262 in'thefhub 199..Rotation of thehousing 194 in one direction relativeto'the` basetensions the return springA 252 and upon release of the rotationalforce, the

return springv returns thehous'in'g to itsinitial position. The meansv,for limiting the extent of rotational movementof the housing 194may'take any of several desired forms but. preferably it includes a stoppin 266 mounted in the base'of thechassis and positioned in a cut-outportion or notch A 268 (Figs. 2 and 15) in the lower end of the hub19,9. 'The notchr268 of the desired circumferential Ydimension forenabling rotationalmovement of the lever arm 176, as desired, which, inthe present instance, is preferably on theorder of 90 degrees. The

i opposite surfaces of the 'notch 268 alternately engage the latitude isprovided for assuring that the clutching e stop pin and limit `therotational movement of the driver housing194 and lever arm `176 inv bothdirections.

The initial'position of the lever arm 176 is as shown in Figs. l and' l1where it is normally retained by the return spring 252. The plateelement 192 in all positions overlies the ball 172 of the burner tip 70,but in its initial position and all'but more advanced positions (Figs.l2 and 13) an imperforate portion'thereof engages the ball -to retainthe valve controlled thereby closed. The valve is permitted to open onlywhen -the plate element approaches the fullyadvanced position whereinthe hole 180,k registerswith the ball.- In the initial position of thelever arm, the driver 206 `ris disposed in'its initial position, whichisythat shown in Fig. ll, being so positioned by virtue-of the p'in'250yon the lever arm, which engages the end surface 249 of the peripheralnotch 248 in the driver :and moves the driver to its initial positionupon movement of the lever armin retracting direction(countenclockwise).` Further, in i the initial position of the parts,the holding pawl 234 is'as shown in Fig. ll wherein the notch 244 andvprojection 246 vare-in holding or latchingrelation, r I y f Tooperaterthe lighter, the user places his thumb on the operating handle1,90 `and rotates thelever arm 176 clockgrease/ti wise (Figs. 11-13). The .driver206' is restrained against suchrnovement, which wouldotherwiseresult 'through the driver spring 196, by -they holding pawl 234.'Toward the end ofthe rotational movement of vthe lever arm, the pin 250riding inthe notch Y248rengages the holding pawl and swings itsfreeeridaway from thedriver against the action of the spring 240, discngagingthe notch v244 and the projection 246. VDuring this movementof the leverarm 176, thetdriver spring Y196 is tensioned since the driver 206 isrestrained -against rotation, but when the holding pawl 234`is released,as `just described, the tension in the driver` spring 196 operates torotate the driver 296. The ydriver is, therefore, rapidly'rotated andits rotation is transmitted through the clutch 220 which, as abovereferred to, is-effectively unitary with 'the driver, and the clutch inturn, through engagement of the clutching ringer 228 .with one of theteeth 230 of the sparking wheel, rotates the sparkingwheel. Therotational movement of the lever arm l176 in clockwise direction in theuse of the lighter` is limited by the stop pin 266 (Fig. l) and the`rotational movement `of the driver 206 is limited by engagement oftheend surface '249 with theupin 250 on the lever arm.

During the fore `portion and major portion of the movement of the leverarm 1'76 in advancing direction, an imperforate portion ofv the. plateelement 192 remains in engagement with kthe ball' 172 inthe burner tip70 and retains the valve (Fig.3) closed so that no gaseous fuel emergesfrom the' burner tip. However, thevalve is permitted to open ataninstant before the sparking wheel is rotated so that the desired streamor column of gas reaches up intoithe path of the sparks at the time thesparks areproduced. This isaccomplished'by theprovision of the hole 180referred to above and formed in the lever arm 176. The hole isappropriatelyy dimensioned in circumferential direction, and positionedadjacent the far or trailing edgeof the plate element 192,v relative toadvancing movement ofV thexlatter, so that it is'in register with theball for perrnittingthe ball to rise and the valve to open shortlybefore the holding pawl 234 is released, and to remain open in fullyadvanced position. 'The gasecus fuel in the valve which stands attheupper end of the bore 160 then flows, when the valve is open, upwardlythrough the bore 142 and through the'holelStl and forms a stream orcolumn above 'the burner tip of sufficient height to be ignited by thesparks issuing from the int.

So long as the user holds the lever arm 176 in advanced position wherein'the' hole 180 registers with the ball in the valve, a flame continuesand so continues until the user releases the handle member190 andpermits the lever arm l176 to be retracted. Upon retracting movement ofthe leverarrn of only a smallamount, the hole 1S@ moves out of registerwiththe ball and the imperiorate portion of theplate element 192reengages and depresses the ball andcloses the valve. It will berecalled that in advance-d position, the shoulder 249 on the driver 266is in engagernentfwith the pin 250-and upon retracting movement of thelever arm 176, the pin 250 acting through the shoulder 249r retracts thedriver 206 with the lever arm. The lever .arm and .driver duringsuch'retracting movement thus `act `as a-solid and unitary memberwhereby the driver spring y196 hasno--effective reaction between ltheconnected parts and thereforekproduces no counterettcctto the returnspring 252. -The clutch 220 being connected with the driver 206 is alsoreturned with the latter, and in the returning or retracting movementthe clutching nger 228 rides under the camming surfaces 232 of the teeth230. A suitable space is provided lbetween the clutch 220 and thesparking wheel 46 so as to enablet-heclutching.finger 228 to be flexedor depressed asuitable extent without'being depressed entirely into thevplaneA ofthe body of the clutch. Preferably the sparking wheel 46, aswell as all the-other elements mounte'df-onftheshaft-182, Aare rotatablerelative to .the shaft -so `vthatfthefshaft may -remain-stationary.

' I'hevarious elements are maintained in position axially of the` shaftby reason of the lappropriate dimensioning oflthe elements relative tothe recess or cavity di?, the clutching linger 228 Ythrough itsresilient character aidingr in maintaining the various elements inproper axial position. It.-will,be understood that as a practical matterandfinview of the small dimensions of the various elements,the clutchinglinger 228 will eiectively maintain the elements inthe .desired axialpositions.

:The driver housing 194 is of :appropriate axial dimension, as wiilbeunderstood, for positioning lever arm 176,.v and particularly the plateportion-192 thereof, irnmediately above vthe burner tip in position forengaging: the` ball 172.

`A'l`heinvention 'also encompasses a modied form of valve forcontrolling the ow of gaseous fuel from the tank yto thelightingstation. Such a valve is shown in Fig. 16 and may be employedinstead of the valve illustrated in Fig. 3. `In the valve .of Fig. 16,the base 26 of the chassis 20 is` provided with a bore 276, similar tothe bore` 112, leading from thefannular space 104. The bore 276 leads toa bore 272 formed in the base of the chassis andiinwhich thevalve meansis positioned. The bore 2-72communicates downwardlywith a threaded bore274 which terminates in a counterbore 276. A screw plug 278 is vthreadedin the `bore 274 and provided with a resilient gasket `28) engagedby thehead of the screw plug and forming a sealingimeans Iagainst the escapeof gaseous fuell from the bore in that direction. Preferably,thescrewplugis provided `with la screw driver slot 282 forzreception of:a screw driver for inserting the screw, and adjusting` it thereafterinfthe bore.

lPositioned in .the bore '.272V is a resilient metering plug 234.preferablyk formed of a suitable elastomerV or rubberlike product suchas Neoprene Thevmetcring plug maybe -substantiallysolid f and is adaptedto be compressedforrrestricting the'tlowof gaseous fuel through thevvalve-in response to adjustment of the screw plug 278, \as-will be4explained-more fully hereinafter. The metering plug, similarly tothemetering ring 154 of Fig. 3,;is made of a material having a relativelyhigh co- 'eicient of expansion and vthus expandable `andcontractable'in-response to changes inambient temperature, forcontrolling the flow of fuel through'the valve, in a mannerto-bereferred-to hereinbelow. The metering plug 23d isappropriately*dimensioned for 'forming Van annular space"286betweenitself-and the surface of the bore 272.

The bore 272 communicates upwardly with a threaded counterbore 288 inwhich is 'disposed a valve plug 290 provided'with -a flange 292 `at itslower end and cross grooves 294 in `its lower endsurface. The grooves294 mayconveniently consist ofa pair of transverse grooves extendingacross theend vsurface-of the valve plug leaving wedge-shapedportions'of substantial dimensions between the grooves for engagement bythe metering plug 284. The valve plug 290 is normally maintained rigidlyin position, as will be explained presently, and serves as a reactionelement against which the metering plug engages for-expansion andcontraction of the metering plug in response to adjustment movements ofthe screw plug 278. vIn response to inward adjusting movement of thescrew plug, the metering plug 284 is compressed between the screw plugIand valve plug and distorted and forced into the grooves 294, asindicated at 295 in Fig. 17, and when the screw plug is adjustedoutwardly, the metering plug is enabled to retract from such position.Thus the effective opening of the grooves 294 can be varied forcontrolling the rate of ow of the gaseous fuel therethrough andtherebythrough the valve.

' The'valveplug 290 is lprovided with a central longitudinalibore v296and a central tapered projection 293 on itsl upper endthrough'which thebore 296 opens. The upper-face 300ofthefprojection 298 is preferably'holemesse .13 lowed .or slightly concave,y presenting an annularV edge302.' i The valve plug 29.10 is maintained rigidly in position by atubular member 304 vhaving a lower threaded portion 306 threaded into'the threaded borer288. A resilient gasket 308isinterposedbetween'thelowerv'end of they tubular member 304 and theflange 292 on the valve plug. `In response'to threading down thetubularmember 304, thev gasket 308 is compressedk into' engagement withthe surface of the bore 288 and the surface of the valve plug to preventthe escape of gaseous fuel therepast. `The upper end`310 of the tubularmember 304 forms aburner tip similar to the burner Vtip 70 of Fig. 3. YFor Athepurpose of closing the valve, a valve closer or shut-oil member312 is provided, which preferably includes a head 314 and a stem 316.The head 314 is dimensioned relative to the inner surface of the burnertip 310 to form a space therewith for the free llow of gaseous fueltherethrough, andthe stem is dimensioned for free sliding, movement inthe bore 296.l The valve closer 312 is. provided with a resilient valveseat l318 having a central aperture for receiving the stem 316, andseated against the under surface of the head 314. The stem 316.serves asa guide for the valve closer member 312 in its vertical movements, vbutisso dimensioned as to provide a space betweenitself and the bore 296 topermit the freeflow of gaseous fuel through the bore when the valvecloser. is removed from the seat 302. The valve closer31r2 is depressedby means of'a ball 320 of rigid material, and preferably made of steel,disposed above the valve closer and held in the burner tip 310 bymeansof a disc orplug 322 havinga central aperture 324 into and through whichthe ball projects. The surrounding surface of thejaperture 324 has itsupper edge peened over as at 326 so as to retain the ball in the burnertip. .The disc or plug 322 is preferably provided with a plurality ofaxially extendingV apertures 328, which are preferably eight in number,Yarranged around its peripheryV and spaced radially outwardly from thecentralaperture 324,. l nThejdis: or plug y322 may be vretained Yin Atheburnen tip KVin anyy suitable manner such as by a press lit. PreferablyVthe central aperture' 324 is `so dimensioned relatively to Vthe ballthat the gasous fuel is enabled v`to pass aroundthe ball aand throughthe aperture, and Ito Ithe same end the surfacenof the central aperture324 may 'be providedwith grooves similarV to the grooves 178 of Figs. 3and 4. The valve ball 320 is actuated by the lever arm 176 in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with Fig. 3; i. e., when theimperforate portion of the lever arm overlies the burner tip, it engagesthe ball and depresses it, forcing the valve closer 312 into shut-olfposition wherein the valve seat 318 sealingly engages the valve seat302. When the hole 180 registers with the ball, the latter is enabled tomove-upward for enabling the valve closer 312 to open. The lever arm 176may also be provided with a plurality of holes 330 which register withthe perimeter apertures 328 when the hole 180 registers with the ball,to facilitate the ilow of the gaseous fuel from the apertures 328 upwardinto the stream or column reaching to the path of the sparks from thesparking wheel. The pressure of the gaseous fuel, similarly to thecondition described in connection with Fig. 3, is sufficient to lift thevalve closer 312 from the valve seat 302 when the hole 180 registerswith the ball, enabling the fuel to flow through the valve and out ofthe burner tip.

In both valve structures, namely, that of Fig. 3 and that of Fig. 16,the valve can be adjusted manually for predetermining the rate of flowof gas and hence the height of the llame produced when the lighter islighted. In the present construction (Fig. 16) that result is producedby adjusting the screw plug 278 which, when adjusted inwardly,compresses the metering plug 284 and forces it into the grooves 294.Also in both constructions the rate of llow of gas, and consequentheight of the flame when the lighter is lighted, is automaticallyadjusted to compensate for changes in ambient temperatures. This featurewas described above in connection with Fig. 3', and in the constructionof Fig. 16 is automatically adjusted through the expansion andcontraction of the meteringplug 284 in response to'changes in theambient temperature. For example, when the ambient temperaturerises,thevmetering plug 284 expands and restricts the grooves 294. Thepressure of the gas also rises and tends to flow faster because of theincreased pressure; but, because of the relatively restricted passageswhen the temperature rises, the rate of llow of the gas therethroughremains substantially constant so that the height of the llameproducedis substantially constant regardless of changes in the ambienttemperature.

I claim:

1. A lighter comprising a chassis, a fuel tank connected to saidchassis, a fuel outlet passage leading from said tank, means forcontrolling the flow of fuel from said outlet passage including anormally open valve and a freely rotatable ball reciprocable relativelyto said valve for closing the latter, a sparking wheel rotatably carriedby said chassis, a llirit, means urging said llint into engagement withsaid sparking wheel, a drive element pivotally carried by said chassisfor movement Vbetween two limit positions and Ihaving a portion movableover and into rolling contact with said ball when said drive element ismoved into one said limit position for depressing said ball to closesaid valve', a one-way drive connection between said drive element andsaid sparking wheel for rotating the latter when said drive element ismoved from its said one limit position to the other, and spring meansresiliently urging said drive element toward its said one position. v Y

2. A lighter comprising a chassis, a fuel tank connected to saidchassis, a fuel outlet passageleading from said tankand terminating in aburner tip, means for controlling the. ilow of fuel from said outletpassageincluding a 4normally lopen valve, and a valve-closing ballfreely'rotatable and reciprocable in said burner tip for closing saidvalve, a sparking wheel rotatably carried by said chassis, a flint,means, urging said flint into engagement with said sparking wheel,'adrive element pivotally carried by saidchassis for movement between. twolimit positions and having a portion movable in a plane closely adjacenttheend of 'said burner tip and engageable with said ball when said driveelement is in one said limit position for closing said valve, a one-waydrive connection between said drive element and said sparking wheel forrotating the latter when said drive element is moved from its said onelimit position to the other, and spring means resiliently urging saiddrive element toward its said one position.

3. A gaseous fuel lighter comprising a fuel tank, an outlet'passageleading from said tank, a burner tip having a generally circulardischarge opening connected to said passage and formed with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced notches in its perimeter, a control valve insaid passage, and means for actuating said valve including a ball freelyrotatable and reciprocable in said burner tip and projecting beyond theend thereof and substantially closing said discharge opening except atsaid notches.

4. A gaseous fuel lighter comprising a fuel tank, an outlet passageleading from said tank, a burner tip, having a generally circulardischarge opening connected to said passage and formed with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced notches in its perimeter, a control valve insaid passage, including an orifice element having a restricted orificetherein and sealing member positioned to overlie said orifice, and meansfor urging said sealing member into position closing said orificeincluding a ball freely rotatable and reciprocable in said burner tipand projecting beyond the end thereof and substantially closing saiddischarge opening except at said notches.

5. A lighter comprising a chassis, a fuel tank connected aveasze to saidchassis, said chassis having a fuel outlet passage therethrough leadingfrom said tank and terminating in a burner tip, means for controllingthe flow of fuel through said outlet passage including a normally openvalve and a valve-closing ball freely rotatable and reciprocable in saidburner tip and projecting through the burner tip, means for producingsparks and projecting them to a position adjacent said burner tipincluding a flint and a rotatable sparking wheel, a lever mounted onsaid chassis for pivotal movement between a Iirst position and a secondposition, said lever having an imperforate portion engaging said balland thereby retaining said valve closed in all positions of the leverexcept said second position and having an opening registering with saidball in said second position and enabling the ball to project thereintoand enabling the valve to open, means controlled by movement of saidlever for rotating said sparking wheel only when said'lever issubstantiallyin said second position, and yieldable means urging saidlever to said first position.

6. A lighter comprising a chassis, a` fuel tank connected to saidchassis, an outlet passage leading from said tank vand terminating in aburner tip, valve means for controlling ow of fuel through said passage,means for producing sparks and projecting them to a position adjacentsaid burner tip including a iint and a rotatable sparking wheel, a leverarm, a shaft, a housing supporting said lever. arm and rotatably mountedon said shaft for pivotal movement of said lever arm in retractingdirection to a first position and in advancing direction to a secondposition, one-way rotatable clutch means engageable with said sparkingwheel, tension spring means in said housing interconnected between `saidhousing and said clutch means, means controlled by said lever arm forclosing said valve means in all positions of said lever arm except saidsecond position and enabling opening of the valve means in said secondposition, means controlled by said lever arm for restraining said clutchmeans against rotation except insaid second position, return tensionspring means interconnected between said housing and chassis urgingrsaid housing in retracting direction, and stopmeans on said chassisengageable withsaid'housing for limiting rotational movement of thehousingl in both directions.

7. Valve means comprising a body having apassage therethrough, shut-ottvalve means in said passage, manually actuatable means for controllingsaid shut-off valve Y 16 means, and adjustable'ow restricting means insaid passage including anl inlet member having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inlet `passages extending therethrough, anoutlet member having a generally cruciform outlet passagev includingradially extending outer portions extending therethrough and overlyingsaid inlet passages, a resilient ring disposed against said outletmember and overlying and closing. the radially outer portions of saidoutlet passage, and means for adjustably compressing said ring andthereby spreading it radially inwardly to adjust the extent it restrictssaid outlet passage.

8. In a gaseous lighter, a'fuel tank, means forming an outlet passageleading fromk thegfuel tank, manually actuatable shut-oli valve means.in the outlet passage, a metering plug in the passage having portsadjacent its periphery, a metering disc adjacent the metering plug andhaving radially arranged passages communicating with said ports, and aresilient-metering ring fitted to the metering disc and defining thepath of the passage from the ports to the central space of the ring,Vand means accessible to the eX- terior for adjustably compressing themetering ring for restricting the flow of gas ythrough the passage.

9. The combination of vclaim 8 wherein the metering ring uponcompressionthereof is projected axially into the radial passages toward said ports.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein the resilient sealing ring isretained on one side by an insert in the passage having a .central boredefining an outlet port against which the shut-off valve means bears toclose the outlet passage.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein the exteriorly accessibleadjusting means includes a screw threaded in the passage and havingareduced inner extremity bearing against the central portion of themetering plug.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,657,663 Devereux Jan. 31, 1928 V1,948,824 OConnor Feb. 27, 19342,196,879 lTrollen Apr. 9, 1940 2,459,042" Nave'et al. Jan. 11, V19492,524,952 Ashtonet al Oct. 10, 1950 2,620,643 Nissen Dec. 9, 19522,637,990 Aronson May 12, 1953 2,652,707 Reillyetal Sept. 22, 1953

